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UNICEF urges extra funding in adolescent well-being

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UNICEF urges extra funding in adolescent well-being

The United Nations Children’s Fund says the rights of adolescent girls are threatened following global economic challenges, stressing the need for improved investment in their well-being.

Disclosing this on Wednesday virtually during a two-day media dialogue on investing in women to promote community health systems—a case study of the Mama2Mama initiative—Chief UNICEF Field Office Bauchi, Dr Tushar Rane, disclosed that one in seven girls in developing countries is married before reaching the age of 15.

According Online reports that the dialogue is in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2024 with the theme ‘Invest in women; she is the solution’.

Rane said, “Adolescent girls’ rights worldwide are under threat, with progress on key issues either stagnating or regressing on a global scale. In the face of challenges such as the ongoing global economic crisis, political turmoil, and humanitarian emergencies, adolescent girls are often overlooked, exploited, or placed in precarious situations.

“Shockingly, one in seven girls in developing countries is married before reaching the age of 15. Moreover, adolescent girls continue to face elevated risks of sexual violence.

“If present trajectories persist, the number of girls and women living in extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase by 2030. Nearly half of the adolescent girls in UNICEF programme countries suffer from anemia and lack access to essential health and nutrition services in the event of pregnancy,” Rane stated.

While urging for improved investment in the health, rights, and well-being of adolescent girls, Rane said such would generate a transformative ripple effect that uplifts entire nations.

“By providing adolescent girls with the necessary support, access, and opportunities to realise their potential, we enable them to become formidable agents of change.

Empowered girls can play a crucial role in tackling some of the most pressing global challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and conflict. Their contributions pave the way for inclusive and sustainable development, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

“Let us together push for a world, characterised by equity and inclusivity, where girls and boys are empowered to access and benefit from the same rights, resources, opportunities, and protections, fostering a society where every person can thrive,” he added.

Speaking earlier, UNICEF’s Communications Officer, Opeyemi Olagunju, explained that the media dialogue was expected to highlight the impactful strides made by the Mama2Mama initiative.

“This initiative has improved health outcomes in the field office region, in Gombe, Bauchi, and Taraba states. Through this dialogue, we aim to advocate for continued investment in women to advance positive social change,” Olagunju said.

Refuse compactor falls off Lagos bridge, kills tricycle rider

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Refuse compactor falls off Lagos bridge, kills tricycle rider

A yet-to-be-identified tricycle rider has been crushed to death after the compactor of a refuse truck fell from a bridge in the Surulere area of Lagos State.

According Metro learnt that the incident happened on Tuesday evening.

The truck, owned by the Lagos Waste Management Authority, was said to be plying the Shitta bridge in the community when it developed a mechanical fault while in motion.

As a result, the driver lost control and collided with a Kia Saloon car on the bridge.

While confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said the impact of the crash caused the compactor to detach from the truck, crash down the side of the bridge, and fall on a mini commercial bus and a tricycle.

The Permanent Secretary of the agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who disclosed this in a statement noted that the tricycle rider died on the spot.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, received a distress call through the Toll-Free Emergency numbers 767/112, at 2215hrs yesterday night.

“The Agency activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans with Emergency Response Teams responding from Onipan, followed with necessary equipment from Cappa Base, the hub of LASEMA heavy-duty equipment in a 5-minute record time, at 2220hrs.”

“It was observed that a LAWMA PSP compactor truck was involved in a multiple accident when it reportedly suffered mechanical error (disengaged propeller), lost control and crashed into a Kia Rio Saloon car, registration number unknown, on Shitta bridge.

“Further information gathered at the incident scene was that the compactor thereafter crashed down the side of the bridge onto a seven-passenger mini-bus (Korope) and a tricycle (Keke Marwa), killing the tri-cyclist instantly on impact.”

The LASEMA boss added that the remains of the deceased were recovered from the scene of the incident and taken to the Infectious Disease Hospital, IDH, Yaba for further processing.

According to him, all three vehicles involved in the multiple accidents were moved to Iponri Police Station, while the LAWMA PSP compactor truck was taken to LAWMA yard at Ijora with the aid of the Agency’s Heavy Duty Equipment equipment (Elephant) at midnight.

“In attendance at the incident scene were the LASEMA Response Team, LASAMBUS, LASTMA, Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Surulere Divisional Office and Officers of the NPF from Iponri Police Station,” he added.

Tinubu directs instant free up of grains to FCT citizens

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Tinubu directs instant free up of grains to FCT citizens

 

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to facilitate the immediate release and distribution of grains and palliatives to residents to cushion the effect of the economic hardship.

The Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, disclosed this on Wednesday, in an emergency meeting with stakeholders and chairmen of the six area councils of the FCT.

She said the directive came in a letter from the Presidency, through the National Emergency Management Authority to the FCT minister, while also announcing the setup of a committee to carry out the directive within the next two weeks.

Some FCT residents had on Sunday attacked a warehouse in the Gwagwa-Tasha area of Abuja, belonging to the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of the FCT Administration, looting food items and vandalising the building.

 

Mahmoud further stated that the letter was issued on February 29, 2024, meaning that they had only a week left to carry out the directive and ensure the proper distribution of the palliatives.

“Everybody knows how His Excellency, Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been going up and down to see how he will cushion the effect of the hardship in the country, especially, particularly the issue of food security. They have been having meetings through the Ministry of Agriculture and finally, we were able to get a lot that we have to distribute for our people, to tell us how Mr President has his people in his heart.

“So it was along this way that the Minister FCT, Nyesom Wike, was addressed through this letter, to call an important meeting with important stakeholders that were highlighted, which most of them are here, to see how we arrange some committees for transparency of the distribution of these palliatives that we are about to get, and then the preparation that we need to have, before these items are given to FCT for distribution,” she said.

She listed members of the Committee to include: Chairmen of Area Councils, FCT Emergency Management Agency, Traditional Rulers, Department of State Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Faith-based organisations, National Union of Local Government Employees, Nigeria Red Cross Society, Women Associations, Persons with Disability groups, youth associations, Principals of boarding schools, civil society organisations and the media.

Fubara approves employment of 500 well being employees in RSUTH

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Fubara approves employment of 500 well being employees in RSUTH

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has approved the immediate employment of 500 health workers in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.

The Chief Medical Director of the RSUTH, Prof. Chizindu Alikor, who disclosed this in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, lauded the governor for the gesture.

Recall that Fubara recently held a meeting with the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Health Management Board.

Prof. Alikor who confirmed the approval said it followed an official communication from the State Civil Service Commission to the RSUTH management.

He stated, “We received an official communication from the Rivers State Civil Service Commission conveying the approval of His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the board and management of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital to proceed immediately in employing 500 healthcare workers into the hospital.

“The directive of that communication is that all of this should commence immediately and should be concluded within the next three months. And the understanding is that the staff should have resumed work in the next three months.”

The RSUTH CMD also confirmed an earlier directive to promote over 400 of the state teaching hospitals that had not been promoted for more than eight years.

He said the development sparked off jubilation in the hospital.

According to him, “The entire hospital community received with great excitement and joy the approval by His Excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the promotion of over 400 staff of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital who have not been promoted in the past eight to ten years.

“It was received with great joy, great excitement in the hospital.”

Reps search decongestion of Nigeria’s 244 correctional centres

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Reps search decongestion of Nigeria’s 244 correctional centres

The House of Representatives on Wednesday began moves to decongest the 244 correctional centres spread across the country.

This is as the lawmakers at a plenary session on Wednesday presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, called for a holistic overhauling of the system, including quick dispensation of justice for awaiting trail inmates as well as reforms and rehabilitation of the centres to global standards.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by member representing Ikwo/Ezza Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, Mr Chinedu Ogah.

Leading the debate on the motion tagged, “Call to decongest Nigerian correctional service,” a member of the All Progressives Congress, Ogah lamented that over 70,000 inmates in the country face inadequate facilities despite government efforts, adding that “Some have not been charged with criminal cases, while some are unable to pay the fines imposed by the courts despite having their cases determined.”

He continued, “The House is disturbed that the Nigerian criminal justice system is plagued by flaws, with cases often lingering without resolution for years, thus overcrowding the correctional centers in various geopolitical zones.

“The House is also disturbed that a data system reveals that federal offenders comprise less than 10 per cent of correctional system inmates, leaving over 90 per cent to state offenses.

“We are also alarmed that overcrowding of the correctional facilities has led to a huge revenue drain for successive governments, leading to prison dilapidation, criminalization, and inability to separate awaiting trial inmates from convicted ones,” stressing that implementing the criminal justice system and the adoption of non-custodial measures would effectively reduce the overcrowding of national prisons.”

While referring the motion to its Committee on Interior, the House urged the Federal and state governments to provide comprehensive reforms of the country’s correctional system, including modernizing custodial centres, building new facilities, and redesigning the bail system.

It also tasked both layers of governments to “Propose legislation to allocate time for the speedy dispensation of justice and the number of inmates awaiting trial; examine the role of the federal and state governments in the correction of inmates; propose sustainable, efficient solutions to address the congestion in 244 jails nationwide and devise and promote effective reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates.”

The House also called on the federal and state governments to utilize their prerogatives of mercy to grant amnesty to deserving inmates, just as it urged the Federal Ministry of Justice to prevent delays in justice dispensation and enhance the process of meeting bail conditions.”

It further called on security agencies to avoid arbitrary arrests.

Tinubu congratulates Adesina on Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Management award

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Tinubu congratulates Adesina on Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Management award

President Bola Tinubu has felicitated the President, African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, on his award of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.

Adesina bagged the prestigious leadership awarded on Wednesday at the 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

As contained in a State House press statement issued on Wednesday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, “President Tinubu commends the AfDB President for his visionary and noble endeavour to transform agriculture in Africa and ensure food security on the continent, recalling the growth enhancement schemes revolutionising Nigeria’s agriculture value chains he introduced as the then Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.”

The statement added that Tinubu “acknowledges Dr. Adesina’s unblemished records, tried and tested integrity, as well as his immense leadership and development strides, particularly in agriculture, efforts of which have earned him numerous honours and recognition globally, including the World Food Prize in 2017.”

The statement noted that Tinubu “wishes the AfDB President more success at AfDB and strength in his service to Africa and to humanity at large.”

Adesina becomes the fourth and third Nigerian to bag the award after previous winners such as Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; former South African President, Thabo Mbeki; and renowned lawyer, Afe Babalola.

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Kogi LGAs pensioners lament non-payment of pensions

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Kogi LGAs pensioners lament non-payment of pensions

The Kogi State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Clement Ohida has appealed to Governor Ahmed Ododo to extend the recent improvement in the payments of pensioners in the state to Local Government pensioners.

Ohida said the appeal became necessary because “as of today no local government pensioners has been paid a dime as far as gratuity is concerned.”

Ohida said this shortly after the Central Working Committee Meeting of the Union held in Lokoja on Wednesday.

He however appreciated Governor Ododo over what he described as an “appreciable improvement in the percentage payments made to Pensioners after the payment of February pension.”

He also appealed for the harmonisation of pensions for pensioners who retired several years back.

The NUP chairman opined that the payment of 100 per cent pension to pensioners in the state is achievable based on the Federal Government policy asking that all arrears of pension be cleared.

He maintained that “while we are appreciating the State Government for where we are, we believe that payment of 100% pension is achievable.

“We call on the government to look into the aspect of payment of gratuity as this will help cushion the economic situation of our pensioners.”

The NUP Chairman said it is not normal that Pensioners should be paid a percentage pension, adding that, the appreciation the Union is making is occasioned by the fact that Local Government Pensioners have had to live with a percentage payment of pension for several years.

He said, “We are coming from a situation where Pensioners have had to live with 30-35 per cent of their pension for whatever reason. But progressively we’re now on 85 per cent reason for the appreciation.

“We are not unaware that many of our people are not happy about this development of percentage pension. But the fact that whatever you cannot get by fighting, you may not have a choice but to apply diplomacy to still arrive at it.

“As a union, we’re ready to bend backwards, the reason why we’re appreciating the Government and also asking for more in the areas of 100 per cent payment of pension, harmonisation and payment of gratuity.

“We equally appeal to the State Government on the need to harmonise pension in the state. We have pensioners who retired several years back and what they take is nothing to write home about.

“Some states have implemented what is called minimum pension making Pensioners take home something reasonable. In Kogi, we still have Pensioners who take as little as N5000. Now when that amount is paid based on percentage, you can imagine what it means for such a pensioner.”

He assured the present administration of the support and cooperation of pensioners in the state.

Military, Army kill 5 IPOB warring parties in Imo

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Military, Army kill 5 IPOB warring parties in Imo

Personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy have killed five fighters of the Indigenous People of Biafra during a gun battle that occurred at Ejemekuru in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The encounter with IPOB’s fighters is coming a few days after a fierce gun duel between the troops and IPOB fighters occurred in the Orsu LG of the state.

The troops killed an IPOB fighter in the operation and recovered three Improvised Explosive Devices, one Toyota Highlander SUV, one Hilux vehicle, eight rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, among others from their hideouts.

As contained in a statement issued by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu on Wednesday, the troops, during the combined operations, recovered one AK-47 rifle and two pump-action Semi-automatic rifles, among others.

The statement read, “In a successful raid operation conducted into identified IPOB/ESN camps on Tuesday 5 March 2024, combined Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy troops have neutralised five armed fighters in a firefight that ensued at Ejemekuru in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

“On overpowering the Armed separatists’ resistance with overwhelming firepower, the gallant troops recovered a significant cache of dangerous weapons including one AK-47 rifle, 2 Pump-action Semi-automatic rifles, one locally fabricated gun, 2 magazines, and 3 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition. The troops also recovered 2 motorbikes, 2 mobile handsets, and a Camouflage jungle hat.”

Onyema also said that 15 kidnapped victims in counter-insurgency operations conducted in the North West were rescued.

“In another operation same day, troops deployed for counter-insurgency operations in North West Nigeria successfully rescued 15 kidnap victims in Tsohuwar Tasha area of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“The vigilant troops responded swiftly to a distress call and immediately mobilised to the scene of the incident where they engaged the kidnappers in a shootout, overpowering and compelling them to abandon their victims, as they scampered into the forest. All abductees were rescued unharmed.”

Mock-UTME holds Thursday, JAMB okays use of HB pencils

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board has said the 2024 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination will be held on Thursday, March 7,2024.

The Board said all candidates sitting for the 2024 Mock-UTME would be allowed to enter the examination hall with an ordinary HB pencil for numerical analysis if desired.

The JAMB spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in a statement on Wednesday, said the clarification became necessary following the series of enquiries from candidates and the general public regarding whether HB pencils were permitted in the examination hall as a writing material.

He said: “It should be noted that the Board had hitherto prohibited the use of pencils and other banned materials in view of the nefarious ends that these materials are put.”

The Board, has, however, okayed the use of ordinary HB pencil during the upcoming Mock-UTME and the main scheduled to commence on Friday, 19th April 2024.”

Consequently, candidates are urged to note that they are to come with only one pencil to their respective examination centres as specified while ensuring that they are not in possession of any other prohibited items.

JAMB had in 2019 banned 19 items such as watches, pens or biros, mobile phones or similar electronic devices, spy reading glasses, calculators, hard disks or similar storage devices, books or any reading material, cameras, recorders and microphones.

The Board then said its decision was to ensure that the examinations meet best global practices.

The 2024 UTME will commence on April 19,2024 and end on April 29,2024 according to initial announcement.

Reps to verify stepped forward wages for staff

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The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to put in place modalities for the payment of living wages to Nigerian workers.

The resolution of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion during a plenary session, moved by Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda, and 39 others.

Leading the debate on the motion titled “Need to provide living wage for workers in Nigeria,” Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Aliyu Madaki, said the rising rate of inflation in the country had made it difficult for the average Nigerian to afford basic needs including food, water, housing, education, healthcare, transportation, clothing, among others.

According to him, the rising inflationary rate in the country has also had a negative effect on the cost of living, with the cost of food, accommodation, education, and transportation skyrocketing.

Relying on Article 23 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights which provides that “Every individual who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration to ensure such a person and his or her family exist in dignity”, Madaki argued that a new and improved wage for the Nigerian worker has become necessary.

The lawmaker also argued that Nigeria, being a member of the United Nations and a subscriber to the Sustainable Development Goals number 17 which requires the payment of a living wage, should brace up and do the needful for her workers.

Following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government in May 2023 and the provisions of palliatives to cushion the effect, the rise in transportation cost and food prices has led to calls for a new wage by the organised labour and other concerned Nigerians.

Further aware that the minimum wage (in Nigeria) was increased by the president recently, but the purchasing power is low owing to the continued rise in the cost of living in the country and the fall of the Naira.

Madaki recalled that in 2018, Trade Economics reported “The living wage for an individual Nigerian and a Nigerian family to be N43,200 per month and N137,600 per month, respectively,” adding that “This is a pre-subsidy removal report.”

Given the economic reality in the country today, the House maintained that “No labourer can live in Nigeria with a wage of less than N100,000.00 per month.

Madaki, who represents Dala Federal Constituency of Kano State, further argued that unless very immediate and pragmatic steps are taken to improve the income of Nigerians, “More Nigerians will go down the economic line, with the poor population increasing. This, in effect, would lead to desperation and a loss of faith in the government.”

Following the adoption of the motion, Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over plenary session in the absence of the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, set up an ad-hoc committee to look into modalities for the payment of living wages to Nigerian workers at rates that match economic realities.

The House further mandated its Committees on Finance and National Planning and Economic Development to look into the motion and transmit the resolution to the Senate for concurrence.

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